How do you know when a stereo sounds good?

@aewarren

"When Adele becomes listenable. (It hasn’t happened yet but that’s my ultimate goal)"

In other words, it ain’t happening!

For me : Adele = inhuman sonic Hell.

It’s as if I’ve become afflicted with some terrible sonic disorder that plays havok with my sense of timing.

Can be a most unsettling, if not a downright terrifying experience.

I feel safe ...I dont know Adele...Beautiful mathematical concept tough....😊

If your system costs less than $100,000 you have a ways to go. I'm not joking.

Does labor count?  Newbies time doesn't count as much but after a couple of decades every hour spent listening, evaluating and studying should easily add up to 100K pretty quickly.  Or you could work at your real job and just purchase expensive stuff.  

Both methods are valid but one does not guarantee a better sounding system over the other and neither have anything to do with whether you are pleased with the result.

Anyone heard a stereo system they thought sounded bad?